EDF Cold-calling E-ON customers

joanne2008

We had an EDF Rep cold calling tonight, they say they are the people that supply Eon (which i know it says on the small print on my bill) and own the meters.
Basically they are saying that by switching to them we would save 30% as it cuts out the middle man (EON)
Im not sure what to do yes it would be great to save the money, but we have just sorted out our bill and are in credit for the 1st time in 2 years.
They say that if we are not happy after 28 days we can cancel and go back to Eon.
So what have we got to lose?
Anyone switched to EDF recently?

Michael_Nottingham

joanne2008 wrote: »

We had an EDF Rep cold calling tonight, they say they are the people that supply Eon (which i know it says on the small print on my bill) and own the meters.
Basically they are saying that by switching to them we would save 30% as it cuts out the middle man (EON)
Im not sure what to do yes it would be great to save the money, but we have just sorted out our bill and are in credit for the 1st time in 2 years.
They say that if we are not happy after 28 days we can cancel and go back to Eon.
So what have we got to lose?
Anyone switched to EDF recently?

EDF don't supply E.ON - that's a typical salesman lie to try to get you to switch.
Martin's current advice - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity is not to switch given the BG cut today - he suggests waiting until the market has settled down again

joanne2008

Oh it says on my EON bill that electricity is supplied by EDF energy under the phone number?
Also i have found this
www.edfenergy.com/products-services/networks/about-networks/what-we-do.shtml

Jo

Vestra

joanne2008 wrote: »

Oh it says on my EON bill that electricity is supplied by EDF energy under the phone number?
Also i have found this
www.edfenergy.com/products-services/networks/about-networks/what-we-do.shtml

Jo

They may be your local distributor but you are not cutting out the middle man, in fact it can sometimes be more expensive using your local distributor as the supplier.

My advise, phone up tomorrow to cancel your contract (you have a cooling off period, not the 28 days sign up they get their money then you switch again one). Then compare your usage on a comparison website, then use a cashback site so YOU get the commission not the salesman.

joanne2008

Thanks Rian1988, we didnt sign any contracty as i knew better than that and thought i would look into it a little 1st.

Why would they not be cutting out the middle man if Edf supply Eon? and how can they say that if it is not true?

SwanJon

joanne2008 wrote: »

Why would they not be cutting out the middle man if Edf supply Eon? and how can they say that if it is not true?

EDF Energy Networks ans EDF Energy are 2 different companies (even if part of the same group).
Under the terms of their licences they cannot give preferential treatment to sister companies.

Also, even if they own the wires, doesn't mean they 'own' or even generate the electricity - there are over 30 diffferent companies that generate electricity.

Vestra

joanne2008 wrote: »

Thanks Rian1988, we didnt sign any contracty as i knew better than that and thought i would look into it a little 1st.

Why would they not be cutting out the middle man if Edf supply Eon? and how can they say that if it is not true?

He said to you if you want you can go back to your old supplier after 28 days, sounds like he has signed you up even if you didn't actually sign anything.

The other question, if you live in the EDF distribution areas, (10, 8 and 11 on this map http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Distribution_Network_Operators.PNG) then EDF distribution supply your electric, but this is separate from the supply side who will bill you. There could be a saving but you would be best checking using a comparison site.

joanne2008

So you think its not worth changing to EDF?

Also they did mention something else about a new government scheme?

Any ideas?

joanne2008

Rian1988 wrote: »

He said to you if you want you can go back to your old supplier after 28 days, sounds like he has signed you up even if you didn't actually sign anything.

No when i said i was worried i wouldnt save any money he said well give it a go if your not happy then you can always change back to Eon after 28 days so i said no i wanted to think about it and he said well dont worry im back in the area tomorrow and will knock again tomorrow to see if you want to go ahead.

Vestra

joanne2008 wrote: »

So you think its not worth changing to EDF?

Also they did mention something else about a new government scheme?

Any ideas?

Any deal offered at the door is not going to be the best one available, you will find better ones online and as I said before why don't you take the commision instead of him?

Michael_Nottingham

Rian1988 wrote: »

He said to you if you want you can go back to your old supplier after 28 days, sounds like he has signed you up even if you didn't actually sign anything.

The other question, if you live in the EDF distribution areas, (10, 8 and 11 on this map http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Distribution_Network_Operators.PNG) then EDF distribution supply your electric, but this is separate from the supply side who will bill you. There could be a saving but you would be best checking using a comparison site.

Sorry could have been clearer EdF, E.ON, SSE, Scottish Power all own regional electricity distribution companies in different areas round the country (these are regulated monopolies).

These companies have to deal with all Energy Retailers on regulated arms length terms. So where EdF (or any of the others) own the local network, they have to supply their competitors at exactly the same price and terms (they can't charge themselves less).

Thus EdF being your local distributor wont mean they can supply you any cheaper.